Content and Bioavailability of Minerals in Some Cameroonian Foods from Douala: Risks of Micronutrient Deficiencies

Authors: Kana Sop MM*, Marlyne-Josephine M, Demasse MA, Gouado I and Tetanye E

Volume 5, Issue 6

Abstract

Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies rates among preschool children and women of childbearing age as the most groups affected, are still rising in Cameroon, despite large food production, which reflected food security over the past three decades. This work aimed at evaluating the nutrient composition of the main family and transitional foods of children in the Douala town of Cameroon for food based malnutrition approach. A food survey by interview using a structured questionnaire, including the recall of the last 24 hours food intakes, food frequency was carried out to over 500 women and caretakers in the city of Douala. Sixteen household dishes were selected from their high consumption frequencies and some traditional complementary foods were analyzed. Moisture and ash were determined by AOAC methods (1980). The following mineral contents: Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, Mo, Mn, Cu, Cr, Al, Ni, Se, Sn, Cd, Pb, Hg, As were determined by HR-ICP-MS on the mineralized samples and Acid extracts determined to evaluate ‘in vitro’ bioavailability in all the samples. The results were analyzed statistically using the software "STATGRAPHICS” Centurion. For all the foods, the dry matter and ash content (g/100 g MF) ranged from 11.07±2.58 to 42.39±0.06 and from 3.56±0.21 to 8, 88±0.02 respectively. The contents of Ca, Mg, K, P Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe (mg / 100gMS) ranged from 32.01±0.1 to 878.33±128; from 48.67±3.5 to 616.3±150.00; from 22±3 to 142±5; 197±34 to 1346.33±137; 0.49±0.06 to 12.08±0.83; 0.12±0.001 and 0.33±0.02; 0.05±0.001 and 0.8±0.001; and from 1.42±0.55 to 6.61±2.25 respectively. The phytates / zinc ratio ranged from 0.00 to 51.62, thus suspecting a high inhibition of phytates on zinc and other divalent cations. All the foods samples had low mineral content and low bioavailability, which would explain the high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and the need to educate mothers and caregivers on dietary diversification in combination with micronutrient supplementation or fortification of infant foods with essential micronutrients where necessary.

Keywords: Foods; Micronutrient Intakes; Micronutrient Deficiencies; Complementary Foods; Household Dishes; Douala; Cameroon

View PDF